Psyche Inspired: Olivia Ferrel

Institution: Arizona State University

Major: Public Service & Public Policy

Psyche Inspired Class: 2018-2019

The Spacecraft

Olivia Ferrel

March 28, 2019

Major: public service & public policy

Genre/Medium: cardboard/papier-mâché/flour sack towels/watercolor

About the work: This small scale Psyche spacecraft features colors from the Psyche badge and embroidery with relevant information about the mission, including Principal Investigator Dr. Lindy Elkins-Tanton’s name and the time frame of the mission. I made this piece after remembering the rockets I played with as a kid, and I wanted to create something you could hold in your hand and connect with.

Parts and Pieces

Olivia Ferrel

March 15, 2019

Major: public service & public policy

Genre/Medium: wood and woodburning

About the work: These three woodburnings depict the asteroid, the spacecraft, and the names of the Psyche Inspired Iron Class interns. The woodburning was inspired by fellow intern Dagan Sassarini’s “Photosynthesis” project. This is a new medium for me, but I felt that it would push me artistically and help me to explore the relationship between nature and technology.

Dr. Lindy Elkins-Tanton

Olivia Ferrel

February 27, 2019

Major: public service & public policy

Genre/Medium: embroidery and watercolor

About the work: This hoop depicts principal investigator Dr. Lindy Elkins-Tanton on a watercolor interpretation of the Psyche asteroid. I wanted to make this piece as a tribute to Dr. Lindy, and a thanks for bringing humanity to the mission. Her image is centered on the black and purple background to both represent the heart of the Psyche mission, and the potential we have as creators and scientists.

Psyche’s Silhouette

Olivia Ferrel

November 06, 2018

Major: public service & public policy

Genre/Medium: embroidery and beading

About the work: At the center of multicolored rays is a silhouette of the Psyche asteroid, which is outlined in black beading. This represents the unknowns of Psyche and its potential, the wonder and hope surrounding the mission, and all the questions we hope to have answered by further research and exploration. (Wooden hoop dimension: 9 inches)